2002

THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY FOR THE
AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY

Electricity Safety Amendment Regulations 2002 (No 1)

Subordinate Law No SL2002 - 26

EXPLANATORY STATEMENT

EXPLANATORY STATEMENT

Section 81 of the Electricity Safety Act 1971 provides that an article of electrical equipment cannot be sold in the ACT unless it complies with the relevant energy efficiency standard and labelling requirement. 

The purpose of the Electricity Safety Amendment Regulations 2002 is to give force to the national Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) and Energy Rating Labels (ERL) in the ACT. These schemes are developed and administered by the National Appliance and Equipment Energy Efficiency Committee (NAEEEC), of which the ACT is a member. 

The development of MEPS and ERL for each individual appliance type involves thorough technical research and benefit and cost analysis, public and industrial consultation and policy inputs from governments. Regulatory Impact Statements (RIS’s) are prepared by NAEEEC for each proposed set of MEPS and ERL. New MEPS and ERL will only be recommended if the outcomes of the RIS’s are favourable for all jurisdictions and the proposed standards and requirements are supported by both the public and the industry. Recommended MEPS and ERL are endorsed by the Ministerial Council on Energy before they are implemented in individual jurisdictions through legislation.

The Amending Regulations effectively make the relevant efficiency standards and labelling requirements in the Victorian law applicable in the ACT as far as they are consistent with the ACT law. Victoria has always played a leading role in the development of legislation for the implementation of MEPS and ERL. Therefore the regulations will ensure that the ACT regulatory regime conforms to national standards. 

Given the fact that the most up-dated version of the Victorian Acts and regulations is available on the Internet and is readily accessible by the public, the notification requirement under section 47(6) of the Legislation Act 2001 is therefore exempt.